Given those hurt, Israel clearly wants on-going strife

For those who may not have heard, Israel fired on and boarded the six ship aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza strip today. While the US sleeps, Israel continues its inhumane and inhuman behavior. I read an article this morning here about the situation. In reading the article and the statements by Israeli officials, one thing has become clear. The people that Israel wants to hurt are the ones who want peace. The moderate voices are the ones who are being marginalized and harmed by the continued blockade on humanitarian and building supplies.

Many of you likely remember the shelling early last year that left homes, schools, and hospitals destroyed. And, who was it that was shelling again? Oh, right... it was the Israeli military. The same people who refuse to let concrete come in caused the dire need in the first place. And, who is hurt by such a ban? Is Hamas the primary injured party here?

The article talks about the supply tunnels that were such a key issue for the Israelis. It reminds us that food and other smuggled items are reaching Gaza through them. So, Now I ask you to ponder a question. Who benefits from the smuggling? Stay with me, here, Hamas has control over Gaza. Hamas controls the tunnels and the smuggled goods. So, how many Christian families (and yes, there are some) do you think receive that aid? How many Fatah supporters are getting food and supplies? Hamas will definitely take care of its own, when it comes to food, medicine, and supplies.

So, as you see, the people being devastated by the continuing blockade and inhumane treatment are those voices that aren't with Hamas. The potential peacemakers are thrown into ever greater poverty. The pressure will continue, and many will likely bow to the tide and join the ranks of Hamas supporters. And, who does that hurt? Apparently no one, since clearly Israel wants continued strife and fighting. Unfortunately, those marginalized people demonstrate once again that Israel has no interest in peace.

And, how sad is it that one of those on the flotilla is a holocaust survivor? I would hope, when confronted someone like this, you would be able to see the plank in your eye. When you feel like this is the only way to draw attention to the wrong actions of your own people, how devastating when violence is their response? As for me, my prayers are with those who have died, those who are injured, and those who continue to wait and hope for someone outside to hear their cries, their pleas, their need. Oh, and I pray for the Israeli people. I pray that God will open their eyes to the evil that they are perpetrating - each with their silence - and their hearts to the harm that they are doing. I pray that God will be merciful and just and move them to become human once again...

Sad confrontations...